The Hit List: New East Bay Restaurants To Try Right Now

"Anyone who gets pumped about the phrase “pork belly chashu” should drop everything and flock to Tsuruya. The casual ramen newcomer near the Cal campus is great for an under-$40 walk-in date night, or a solo meal at the counter. The noodle soups are basically the only things on the menu aside from some shareable appetizers, and they each come with opaque broth you’ll be tempted to lick off the bottom of the bowl. It’s all pretty customizable, but they’re each simple and beautifully executed—and if you’re stuck on a decision, the classic tonkotsu with thick noodles and that fall-apart chashu is the way to go. " - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez